freelance HR consultant. London Super Foods

Scenario: You are a freelance HR consultant. London Super Foods (LSF) is a new retailer and has a staff of 100, comprising drivers; sales persons; cashiers; administrative staff and cleaners. The LSF Director Alex Barbier, has contacted you requesting advice on several urgent HR issues arising in the company. Your task is to present a report to the Director addressing these 4 questions: Q1: Last month, an employee, Raj Singh, was told by his line Manager Alan Smith that he could not wear his turban, despite the fact that this is a requirement for his Sikh belief. No reasons were given. Rajs job role is a cashier at the cash out desk. Yet Julie, another cashier, wears a cross and no one has said anything. Evaluate the legal issues of the managers actions from the employer & employee perspective. [600words] Q2: LSF is keen to abide by the current wage legislations and has proposed the following pay structure changes. ? Apprentices are not paid for their training ? Staff under 20yrs will be paid 3.20 for men and 5.50 for women. ? Over 25 years will be paid 6.50 but must have worked 2years with the organisation. Advise LSF whether they have fulfilled the legal requirement in light of the latest changes to the National Minimum Wage, April 2018. If this is not the case, explain what amendments are needed in order for LSF to be legally compliant. [600words] Q3: Sam Pax, HR Manager, has changed some of the staff contracts: ? Maternity leave is no longer recognised ? No sick leave is given and no Statutory Sick Pay will be paid ? Staff are not allowed to join any Trade Unions. Advise LSF whether these changes comply with current employment legislation and evaluate how this will impact the employees. Also recommend how the company can ensure their policies meet current legislation. [600words] Q4: LSF has two pending complaints on race relations and discrimination: [i] Alin Cohen wears a skull cap as part of his Jewish belief. Alin works as a customer service advisor and was told to remove his skull cap as this may offend customers. [ii] Saria Islam is a night cleaner and has been told she cannot wear a headscarf when working, yet Tom Hanks, a male cleaner, is allowed to wear a cap while he is cleaning. Advise LSF on their legal position; identify any legal breaches if any; explain which relevant legalisation applies and any possible remedies. [600words]. MAIN UK LEGISLATION TO CONSIDER WHEN ANSWERING QUESTIONS… ? The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 . This Act deals with collective bargaining and redundancy. More recently, the Trade Union Act 2016 that came into force in March 2017 restrict industrial action with significant reforms around ballots, and the functions of the certificating officer. ? The Employment Rights Act 1996 and the Equality Act 2010: The Employment Rights Act 1996 defines and regulates the relationship between employer and employee and deals with the circumstances where employees can be fairly dismissed.